The winning bid was led by Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network with support from its Te Tiriti – Treaty of Waitangi – partners Te Rōpū Ārahi, in addition to support from Business Events Wellington and Tourism New Zealand Business Events. Support from New Zealand’s health sector and from the government also helped get the bid over the line, against international competition to host the event.
Various unique elements of New Zealand’s rural health approach, including community led initiatives, Indigenous health frameworks and the integration of Māori health models, were important parts of the successful bid.
“Hosting Rural WONCA 2026 in Wellington provides an unparalleled platform to highlight the innovative and community-driven strategies we’ve developed to support rural and Indigenous health,” said Hauora Taiwhenua chair, Fiona Bolden.
“We will be working closely with our rural Māori members and health colleagues to share our success stories and extend this opportunity to our rural health peers across the South Pacific and other First Nations peoples around the world, to join these conversations and learning opportunities; it’s about fostering global conversations that drive equity and inclusivity in healthcare systems worldwide.”
The meeting is expected to deliver a NZ$2.7 million economic impact to Wellington.
“This is the first time the global rural health conference for family doctors has been hosted by New Zealand, and we are very proud to be able to provide this unbeatable opportunity to our rural health community,” said Hauora Taiwhenua chief executive, Dr Grant Davidson.
Meanwhile Tourism New Zealand’s global manager of business events, Penelope Ryan, flagged the broad benefits of hosting the conference.
“Welcoming the Rural WONCA Conference not only brings valuable thought leadership in healthcare to New Zealand, it supports year-round tourism by bringing international visitors to our shores in April, after our peak summer season,” she said.
